Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Contemporary Australian Cabin Kitchen

Element Design Studio

A modern Australian design with finishes that change over time. Connecting the bushland to the home with colour and texture.
This is an example of a large contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Summer Hill Complete Renovation & Restoration

Denby Dowling Interiors

The brief was to restore the home to its former glory whilst accommodating existing cherished furnishings, to include the Chesterfield sofa, coffee table, dining table & chairs, Persian rug & hall runners. To make the quirky furnishings work with the Victorian restoration I balanced bold colours & textures with more traditional flooring & timber veneer colours throughout the home. The kitchen pendant light is a custom designed piece in collaboration with Magins Lighting. The orange splash back tiles (hand made through DeLorenzo Tiles) compliment the dining & lounge floor rugs & balance the room. The blue grout - the icing on the eclectic cake!

Rosebud beach side home

Jasmine McClelland Design

Contemporary open plan spacious mixed surfaces kitchen with black steel island bench framing, feature window, feature shelving above window, contrast blue overheads and warm wood tones.

Willow

Haus Residential

Modern l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, pink splashback, black appliances, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Carson

Daniela Fulford Photography

Inspiration for a modern l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

Van Norden Lodge

Colossus Mfg.

Cabin kitchen with light wood cabinetry, blue and white geometric backsplash tile, open shelving, milk globe sconces, and peninsula island with bar stools. Leads into all day nook with geometric rug, modern wood dining table, an eclectic chandelier, and custom benches.

Lloyd Park Extension

Studio Fabbri

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, terrazzo benchtops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, linoleum floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

OSONNIA APARTMENT

MAKHNO Studio

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Hamburg with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Квартира в современном стиле

Миксон — мебель на заказ

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Moscow with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback, black appliances, a peninsula, grey floor and black benchtop.

Louisa, San Clemente Coastal Modern Architecture

Eyoh Design

Louisa, San Clemente Coastal Modern Architecture The brief for this modern coastal home was to create a place where the clients and their children and their families could gather to enjoy all the beauty of living in Southern California. Maximizing the lot was key to unlocking the potential of this property so the decision was made to excavate the entire property to allow natural light and ventilation to circulate through the lower level of the home. A courtyard with a green wall and olive tree act as the lung for the building as the coastal breeze brings fresh air in and circulates out the old through the courtyard. The concept for the home was to be living on a deck, so the large expanse of glass doors fold away to allow a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoors and feeling of being out on the deck is felt on the interior. A huge cantilevered beam in the roof allows for corner to completely disappear as the home looks to a beautiful ocean view and Dana Point harbor in the distance. All of the spaces throughout the home have a connection to the outdoors and this creates a light, bright and healthy environment. Passive design principles were employed to ensure the building is as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels keep the building off the grid and and deep overhangs help in reducing the solar heat gains of the building. Ultimately this home has become a place that the families can all enjoy together as the grand kids create those memories of spending time at the beach. Images and Video by Aandid Media.

Mid-century modern kitchen

DMR Remodeling, Inc. Kitchen & Bath Specialist

Cramped, outdated cape cod kitchen remodeled from the floor up. removing one wall between the dining room and original kitchen opens the entire space.

Yandina Sunrise

Atelier Chen Hung

The kitchen has a pale pink nougat-like terrazzo benchtop, paired with a blonde/pink Vic Ash timber joinery to make for an appetising space for cooking. Photography by James Hung

Rénovation d'un appartement qui chante le sud - Projet Phillipe

Mon Concept Habitation

Le charme du Sud à Paris. Un projet de rénovation assez atypique...car il a été mené par des étudiants architectes ! Notre cliente, qui travaille dans la mode, avait beaucoup de goût et s’est fortement impliquée dans le projet. Un résultat chiadé au charme méditerranéen.

Claremont

son & son architects

Photo of a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Perth with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Florida Modern Custom Home by Orlando Custom Homebuilder Jorge Ulibarri

Jorge Ulibarri Custom Homes

In the large, open kitchen, an 18-foot wood grain laminate feature wall seamlessly integrates appliances in a T-formation. Two kitchen islands are crafted in the contrasting countertop material, one with a wraparound white and gray quartz countertop that matches the backsplash. The second kitchen island has a white quartz surface.

Contemporain Cuisine

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige splashback, timber splashback, black appliances, with island, blue floor and white benchtop.

Bentleigh Home

Finney Construction

Minimal black and timber kitchen in Bentleigh. Another Finney Project. Design by E&N architects.
Design ideas for a contemporary kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, concrete floors, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black splashback and with island.

Contemporary Southwest Renaissance

Rondi - the art of space

This light filled kitchen remodel was brought into the 21st centuary by replacing the dark cabinet doors with a contemporary style in a warm soft finish. The countertops are antiqued granite that resembles wood. Glass mosaic backsplash. Subzero built-in refrigeration. Wolf ovens and induction cooktop. Wood Beams. LED Undercabinet, accent and downlight. Photo: Dino Tonn

Modern Kitchen in Maple and Grey

Vision Design

Photo of a small modern galley eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, black appliances, linoleum floors and no island.

Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets and Black Appliances Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!